Archana Nepal
Child Peer Educator
“Children Know Better”
Story We Heard –
The young girl enjoyed watching others play as well as attending school and spending time with her companions. Everything shifted when her trusted relative ,her uncle initiated abusive actions against her which she did not understand. He told her to stay silent. Many young girls suffer in the same way she does. She faced terror along with confusion. The people of Nepal endure sexual abuse every day against their children whether those children are female or male.
Children fail to report abuse because they feel intimidated and embarrassed and because abusive family members threaten to damage their family’s reputation. Childhood students prove to be perceptive and intellectually capable while desiring protection. Children undergoing abuse do not understand that what happened to them constitutes abuse because they lack proper knowledge about it. They don’t have the words. The children fear that their reports about abuse will face disbelief from others. Such protection starts with teaching children and maintaining open lines of communication. Children who understand their rights become confident in defending themselves against abuse.
Boys Are Victims Too-
Society tends to overlook the fact that male children also become victims of sexual assault. Because of the fear of receiving criticism or feelings of stigma, boys usually remain silent.
The 13-year-old boy who spoke with me had suffered abuse throughout his youth without revealing his experience to others. According to him being male required coping with abuse by oneself. His failure to speak out was profoundly distressing, since such behavior shows up so many times.
What Can We Do?
- Parents should introduce body safety discussions to their children at a young age.
- Make the time to hear their messages while merely maintaining belief in their experiences.
- The establishment of protective environments must occur within the home alongside educational facilities alongside neighborhood areas.
- Report abuse. The protection must go to the abused child over the abuser.
- Each child needs to feel protected along with the experience of being loved while they receive the opportunity to express themselves.
Let’s break the silence. Together we need to stand up for children.